Kobe Bryant Could Miss Lakers Season Opener, Done for Preseason with Foot Injury

Kobe Bryant is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason. According to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com, the veteran’s foot will keep him out of the team’s last two exhibition games.

The Lakers are scheduled to play the Clippers on Wednesday night. Los Angeles will close out the exhibition season on Thursday against Sacramento.

Bryant injured his foot in L.A.’s preseason game against the Kings on Sunday. His foot got caught up with Thomas Robinson in the third quarter, and he suffered a bruised and strained right foot.

Even if Wednesday’s game wasn’t an exhibition, Bryant said he doesn’t think he’d be ready to play. He called the injury “painful” after missing practice on Tuesday.

Once the preseason ends, Bryant has a few days to get healthy for the regular season opener. Los Angeles will host Dallas on Tuesday, Oct. 30 on the NBA’s opening night. The shooting guard will be re-evaluated over the weekend to determine his status for the game.

A few of the Lakers stars are banged up, as the regular season approaches. Dwight Howard’s back will likely keep him out of the contest against the Clippers. He’s missed five of the team’s six preseason games, playing 33 minutes in his one appearance.